Elementary Orchestra Repertoire Options by Unit/Concert

 

I have been wanting another way to look at the repertoire I have taught in past years, organized by unit or by concert.  I had always been keeping track of past repertoire, but it was just a long list in a Google Doc format, and I would have to scan through the whole thing (or do Ctr + F to find a specific piece) each time I was looking for something.  This new document groups pieces by unit--during which part of the year this piece could be taught or for which concert it could be performed.

There are so many pieces out there for beginning orchestra, but for it to work in my teaching situation, it would have to fit in a specific slot depending on what has been taught by that time in the year and it would have to help provide a balance between different time periods, styles, parts of the world, composers, etc. that students are studying throughout the course of the year.  Please see this blog post for a sample winter concert and spring concert program for first- and second-year orchestra students along with a list and explanation of the different "slots" I try to fill with my repertoire selections.  

In my district, we have a winter band/orchestra/choir concert in December, our district-wide String Fest field trip and concert at the end of January, and a spring band/orchestra/choir concert in May.  In February, once String Fest is over and we are into our Solo/Ensemble unit, beginners will start their first very simple full orchestra piece (often just two parts), while second-year students will learn a full orchestra piece that may or may not be performed on the spring concert--students will get to vote from a few options they've been studying later in the year.

Anyway, I went ahead and created a Google Sheet, organized more-or-less chronologically through the school year, with both first-year (5th grade) and second-year (6th grade) orchestra represented.  Titles in each category are listed in alphabetical order, with links to the publisher's website (or to a different blog post for my arrangements).  The last column allows me to track when I've last taught each piece too.  

• Elementary Orchestra Repertoire Options by Unit/Concert

As always, feel free to make a copy and update as you like!  Which other pieces would you recommend I check out?

Rounds by Ear

 As we near the end of the school year, I like to teach a round by ear to the second-year students.  Then in our final full orchestra rehearsals of the year, after the spring concert is over, we can play a two- or three-part round without the use of sheet music.  The orchestra has been invited to play at the end-of-the-year assembly in recent years, and everyone lined up in the front of the gym and performed one of these rounds first in unison and then in parts.  It was easy setup because I only needed chairs for the cellists--no stands required :)

Each of these are in the key of C Major, as that is the key we're focusing on during this time of the year, but the rounds could easily be transposed to the key of your choice.  Students do get the sheet music eventually, but ideally they don't need it by then; it's just for reference.  The sheet music documents include Alpha note versions at the end.

Music Alone Shall Live

• Word document
• PDF
• Audio files

Oh, How Lovely Is the Evening

• Word document
• PDF
• Audio files

Lachen

• Word document
• PDF
• Audio files

Enjoy!